Oct. 2, 1908.] Ayricultural GuzetU of N.S. JF. 831 



Description of Indian Cane. 



The plant grows to a lieiglit of ll' feet to 15 t'cet ; the stems are pule yellow, 

 tender, about the thickiiess of sorghiiin, the rind is not so woody or indiges- 

 tible as the ordinary sugar-eane ; the base of the leaves is devoid of the 

 minute priekles found on some varieties of cane, such a variety foi- instance 

 as No. 14, which is injurious to stock when much used. 



Home cuttings of Indian Cane were planted on this farm on 3rd December, 

 1907, 5 feet apart in rows. At the end of June, 190S, this cane had reached 

 a height of 8 feet, and the number of canes to a stool totalled 40, and the aver- 

 age weight of each stool 30 lb. 



Its resistance to frost was manifested during -June when exceptionally 

 heavy frosts occurred which bleached the leaves of the adjoining Aarieties, viz., 

 Mauritius Ribbon and No. 14, while the Indian Cane remained green. 



An important feature of this cane is the slender upright stems with soft 

 rind, which renders it easily eaten by stock, without being chaffed. 



The dairy-farmer of the Clarence and Richmond having suitable soil and 

 location, with a couple of acres of this cane, has in it the best substitute for 

 •ensilage and a safe standb}' summer and winter. 



If used in conjunction with other fodders possessing higher protein con- 

 tent, we have a good milk producer, but when used alone the tendency is to 

 fatten at the expense of the milk yifld. < )ctober is the best month for planting. 



Pertflity of Teosinte {Euchloina luxurians) Seed grown 



AT BeLINDTGARBAR EXPERIMENT EaRM. 



From tests made by Mr. A. H. Haywood, Manager of the Belindigarbar 

 Experiment Farm, near Grafton, with Teosinte seed, it has been found that 

 78 per cent, germinated. The light and immature seeds were removed by 

 winnowing. 



This is an extremely satisfactory result, as this very valuable forage i)lant 

 does not mature seed in the cooler parts of the State. Supplies have hitherto* 

 been flra\\n from hot climates outside New .South Wales. 



As a ijreen fodder for dairy cattle it is stron^lv recommended. 



